Tethered plastic stopper

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a tethered plastic stopper, having a tamper band positioned around the stopper, a closure shell positioned on top of the stopper above the tamper band, and a linking feature. The linking feature is configured to connect the tamper band to the closure shell, the linking feature including a first end configured to attach to the closure shell, a second end configured to attach to the tamper band, and a central portion. The central portion positioned between the first end and the second end, the central portion being situated furthest from the stopper when compared to the first end and the second end. The linking feature is positioned outside the periphery of the stopper and is configured to allow the central portion to flex during removal of the closure shell from a top of a bottle neck.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a tethered plastic stopper. More specifically,the present disclosure relates to linking a closure shell to a tamperband of a bottle neck.

BACKGROUND

In the field of liquid packaging, it is very common to seal the apertureof a container with a stopper, often made from a plastic material. Sucha container is usually a plastic bottle, but other materials may be usedas well.

The stopper typically has a tubular shape closed at its top edge by atop wall. The stopper comprises a closure shell attached to a tamperband through the implementation of bridges. Bridges are distributedaround the circumference of the closure shell and the tamper band.Moreover, the bridges may be made when molding the stopper or afterthrough undergoing a cutting step during the manufacturing process.

Usually the bottle neck comprises outer fixation features, such asthreads for screw type stopper or annular fixation rings for a snap typestopper that secures the stopper on the bottle neck.

For screw type stoppers, the closure shell typically comprises innerthread(s) arranged inside side walls. The bottle neck fixation featurecomprises outer thread(s). Such combinations of outer and innerthread(s) allow the stopper to be screwed on a bottle neck to seal itand unscrewed for bottle entirely opening. A snap type stopper comprisesinner annular area and the bottle neck fixation feature comprises outerfixation ring, in order to slot in force the stopper on the bottle neck.A snap type stopper comprises a closure shell with a movable sealingroof from a closure position to a part opening, and reversely. The roofmay be separating upon opening or may be connected with the closureshell.

In a sealing position of the stopper, the tamper band is secured aroundthe bottle neck finish through inner tamper band retaining features orthrough the tamper band diameter being smaller than a diameter of atamper evident ring of the bottle neck finish.

The closure shell is typically removable. During bottle opening, thebridges form a weakness line and are torn apart from the closure shell,so it can be separated from the bottle. The weakness line is torn whenuser unscrews the closure shell of the stopper or when user lifts theroof by tilting.

After opening, the closure shell can be completely removed and discarded(e.g., dropped), preventing subsequent closure of the bottle.Additionally, the removed closure can represent waste if not recycled.

Other known art prior art systems include a tethered stopper comprisinga spiral strip. The spiral strip is made during the stopper molding sothere is no cutting or slitting operations. Other known prior artsystems includes tethered stoppers comprising two strips linking theclosure shell to the tamper band secured on the bottle neck.

SUMMARY

This invention relates to an improved tethered plastic stopper includinga closure shell that remains attached to its tamper band after thebottle is opened through a linking feature. When the closure is removed,the linking feature remains connected to both the closure shell and thetamper band such.

According to one embodiment, the linking feature is shaped like a hingeand extends outwardly. It is designed to facilitate the manual openingand closing by a user. The shape of the linking feature also allows theclosure shell to move aside the bottle neck in a way to not interfereduring use (e.g. a customer when drinking from the bottle). The linkingfeature keeps the closure shell in a fully opened.

The linking feature may include a hollow between its ends attached tothe tamper band and opposite to the closure shell, so when opening thelinking feature is used to open the closure shell from the bottle neck,it deforms to get closer to the stopper. In addition, the closure shellmay be reapplied by moving the linking feature in reverse.

In some embodiments, the linking feature is forms a C-shape and extendshorizontally from the periphery of the stopper. In other embodiments,the linking feature is forms a V-shape and extends horizontally from theperiphery of the stopper.

In some embodiments, the first end of the linking feature comprises twotop tongues each connected to the closure shell, the second end of thelinking feature comprises a bottom tongue connected to the tamper band,and the central portion connecting the top tongues and the bottom tongueis round. In some embodiments top tongue and/or the bottom tongues curveto form an S-shape.

Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the invention willbe or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examinationof the following figures and detailed description. It is intended thatall such additional systems, methods, features and advantages beincluded within this description, be within the scope of the invention,and be protected by the accompanying claims.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The figures are not necessarily to scale and some features may beexaggerated or minimized, such as to show details of particularcomponents. Emphasis is placed on illustrating the principles of theinvention. In the figures, like reference numerals designatecorresponding parts throughout the different views.

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a first embodiment of atethered stopper in a closed position.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic section view of the first embodiment of thetethered stopper secured on a bottle neck in the closed position.

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic top view of the first embodiment of thetethered stopper in the closed position.

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a second embodiment of thetethered stopper in a closed position.

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic section view of the second embodiment of thetethered stopper secured on a bottle neck in the closed position.

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic top view of the second embodiment of thetethered stopper in the closed position.

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a third embodiment of thetethered stopper in a closed position.

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic section view of the third embodiment of thetethered stopper secured on a bottle neck in the closed position.

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic top view of the third embodiment of thetethered stopper in the closed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As required, detailed embodiments of the present disclosure aredisclosed herein. The disclosed embodiments are merely examples that maybe embodied in various and alternative forms, and combinations thereof.As used herein, for example, exemplary, and similar terms, referexpansively to embodiments that serve as an illustration, specimen,model or pattern.

In some instances, well-known components, systems, materials or methodshave not been described in detail in order to avoid obscuring thepresent disclosure. Therefore, specific structural and functionaldetails disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, butmerely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis forteaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the presentdisclosure.

Phrasing such as ‘configured to’ perform a function, including in theclaims, can include any or all of being sized, shaped, positioned in thearrangement, and comprising material to perform the function.

Terms indicating quantity, such as ‘first’ or ‘second’ are used forexemplary and explanation purposes and are not intended to dictate thespecific ordering of a component with respect to other components. Termsindicating position such as ‘upper’ and ‘lower’ or ‘front’ and ‘back’are used to indicate components relation to one another. One of skill inthe art would recognize other configurations are possible.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed herein. Thedescribed embodiments are merely exemplary illustrations ofimplementations set for a clear understanding of the principles of thedisclosure. Variations, modifications, and combinations may be made tothe described embodiments without departing from the scope of theclaims. All such variations, modifications, and combinations areincluded herein by the scope of this disclosure and the claims.

FIG. 1 illustrates a tethered plastic stopper 100, for closing a bottleneck 200. The stopper 100 is integrally made of a single plastic pieceby a molding fabrication step. Other parts or elements of the stopper100 can be further created into the entire plastic piece through acutting or slitting step.

The stopper 100 can be a screw type or a snap type. It includes innerfixation features, such as thread(s) or inner annular ring(s), designedto cooperate with outer complementary fixation features made on thebottle neck 200.

The stopper 100 includes a tamper band 104 and a closure shell 106. Thetamper band 104 and the closure shell 106 are linked together, thetamper band 104 may be connected to the bottom of the closure shell 106and to the top of the tamper band 104.

Retaining features may be found connected to the tamper band 104. Theretaining features secure the stopper 100 when sealing the bottle neck200. The retaining features include a collar (not shown). When thebottle neck 200 is sealed, the collar (not shown) may be inverted insidethe tamper band 104, which locks stopper 100 against a tamper band 104,which is positioned outwardly around the bottle neck 200.

The stopper 100 also includes at least a weakness line 108 between theclosure shell 106 and the tamper band 104. The weakness line 108 is madeof bridges 128. The bridges 128 are distributed along most of theweakness line 108, and may be in regular arrangement or not. The bridges128 link the closure shell 106 to the tamper band 104. Thus, whenopening the closure shell 106, the bridges 128 are torn apart from theclosure shell 106 and from the tamper band 104. Once the bridges 128 aretorn, the closure shell 106 can be manually removed by the consumer, inorder to open the bottle neck 200.

In one embodiment, the stopper 100 comprises a linking feature 110, suchas a hinge. The linking feature 110 is attached at a top end 112 to theclosure shell 106 and at the bottom end 114 to the tamper band 104. Onceopened, the closure shell 106 remains attached to the tamper band 104,which is also secured on the bottle neck 200 through its retainingfeatures.

The linking feature 110 extends outward relative to the outer face ofthe stopper 100, specifically relative to the tamper band 104 and theclosure shell 106. The linking feature 110 is hollowed between a top end112 and a bottom end 114. The hollow shape of the linking feature 110confers a resilience when first sealing the stopper 100 in the bottleneck 200. When opening the linking feature 110, elasticity assists theclosure shell 106 in moving into an open position. The elasticity pushesthe top end 112 away from the bottom end 114, which is attached to thetamper band 104 secured on the bottle neck 200. Hence the closure shell106 may be easily opened and maintained in an opened position throughthe resilience of the linking feature 110.

The linking feature 110 is offset relative to the periphery of thestopper 100. The linking feature 110 may include a central portion 116located farthest from the stopper 100 and between the top end 112 andthe bottom end 114. The central portion 116 allows the linking feature110 to include an inner hollow shape that allows the linking feature 110to deform upon opening or closing. When opening by rotating the closureshell 106, the central portion 116 gets closer to the stopper 100,allowing the closure shell 106 to be upwardly moved away from the bottleneck 200. When closing by rotating the closure shell 106 in the oppositedirection, the central portion 116 is pushed away from the stopper 100,allowing the closure shell 106 to be moved closer to bottle neck 200.

According to an embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3, the linkingfeature 110 is C-shaped or U-shaped and extends horizontally away fromthe bottle neck 200. Specifically, the top end 112 and the bottom end114 are generally flat and connected to one another via the centralportion 116. The central portion 116 has a curvature such that itconnects to the flat top end 112 and flat bottom end 116, thus forming aC-shape. In some embodiments, the top end 112 may be attached to theclosure shell 106. In some embodiments, the bottom end 114 may beattached to the tamper band 104.

According to another embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 through FIG. 6,the linking feature 110 extends horizontally in a V-shaped manner.Specifically, the linking feature 110 includes two upper tongues 118 anda lower tongue 120 connected by the central portion 116. The uppertongues 118 are parallel to one another and connect to the centralportion 116 at one side and the lower tongue 116 connects to the centralportion from an opposite side of the central portion. The upper tongues118 attach to the closure shell 106 and the lower tongue 120 attach tothe tamper band 104.

The upper tongues 118 are separated by a free space 119 on either sideof the upper tongues 118. In some embodiments, the tongues 118, 120 aremanufactured as one component and in a subsequent operation (e.g.,slitting operating), the upper tongues 118 are separated from the lowertongue 120, thus creating the free space 119.

In some embodiments, the upper tongues 118 attach to a top portion ofthe closure shell 106, as illustrated in FIG. 4. In other embodiments,the upper tongues 118 attach to a body portion of the closure shell 104.For example, the upper tongues 118 attach at or near finger grips of theclosure shell 104.

In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the tongues 118,120 include a curvature that creates an S-shaped profile. When openingthe closure shell 106, the lower tongue 120 may insert into the freespace 119 between the upper tongues 118, so the closure shell 106remains opened.

According to another embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 7 through 9, thelinking feature 110 includes two lateral tongues 122. The two tongues122 are generally parallel to one another and separated by a free space123. The tongues 122 are generally curved such that one end attaches tothe closure shell 106 and the opposite end attaches to the tamper band104. In some embodiments, the linking feature 110 may then include acentral portion 116 for each tongue 122. For example, the centralportion 116 is integrated into the tongues 122, such that each tongue122 includes the central portion 116 between the closure shell 106 andthe tamper band 104.

In some embodiments as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the linking feature110 includes a vertical link 124 positioned between the tongues 122. Thevertical link 124 extends vertically between the tongues 122 near thefree space 123. Specifically, the vertical link 124 extends to connect aportion of the closure shell 106 to a portion of the tamper band 104.

In operation, the vertical link 124 serves to retain the lateral tongues122 and assists the closure shell 106 to remain in an open position andclosed position. The vertical link 124 maintains separation between theclosure shell 106 and the tamper band 104. The vertical link alsoreduces the amount of force that is applied to the tongues 122 duringopening and closing of the closure shell 106 than when the vertical linkis not present.

In some embodiments where the closure shell 106 is a snap type, theclosure shell 106 includes a handing feature 130 that is configured tobe manually gripped by the user. The handing feature 130 is, forexample, integrated into a peripheral edge of the closure shell 106. Thehandling feature 130 extends outwardly, relative to the stopper 100 andthe tamper band 104, especially at a position opposite to the linkingfeature 110.

The closure shell 106 also may include a locking feature 107, such as ahook, extending inwardly and downwardly relative to a bottom face of theclosure shell 106. The hook 107 may be configured to grasp or retain theclosure shell 106 on an outer annular ring (not shown) at the top of thebottle neck 200, such that when the linking feature 110 is locked, thehook 107 prevents the closure shell 106 from accidentally opening.

In the sealed position, the hook 107 attaches to the tamper band 104through a separation feature 105, such as a flange, extending verticallyfrom the top edge of the tamper band 104 to the bottom edge of the hook107. In operation during opening of the stopper 100, the separationfeature 105 tears apart from the bottom of the hook 107 from the top ofthe flange 105. When resealed (e.g., closed), the torn hook 107 andseparation feature 105 displays evidence of tampering.

While various embodiments of the invention have been described, it willbe apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many moreembodiments and implementations are possible that are within the scopeof this invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A tethered plastic stopper, comprising a tamperband positioned around the stopper; a closure shell positioned on top ofthe stopper above the tamper band; and a linking feature connecting thetamper band to the closure shell, the linking feature comprising: afirst end configured to attach to the closure shell; a second endconfigured to attach to the tamper band; and a central portionpositioned between the first end and the second end, the central portionbeing situated furthest from the stopper when compared to the first endand the second end; wherein the linking feature is positioned outsidethe periphery of the stopper and is configured to allow the centralportion to flex during removal of the closure shell from a top of abottle neck.
 2. A tethered plastic stopper, according to claim 1,wherein the linking feature is configured to allow flexibility of thecentral portion to assist in closing the closure shell.
 3. The tetheredplastic stopper according to claim 1, wherein the linking feature isforms a C-shape and extends horizontally from the periphery of thestopper.
 4. The tethered plastic stopper according to claim 1, whereinthe linking feature is forms a V-shape and extends horizontally from theperiphery of the stopper.
 5. The tethered plastic stopper according toclaim 4, wherein: the first end comprises two top tongues each connectedto the closure shell, the second end comprises a bottom tongue connectedto the tamper band, and the central portion connecting the top tonguesand the bottom tongue is round.
 6. The tethered plastic stopperaccording to claim 5, wherein at least one top tongue and the bottomtongues curve to form an S-shape.
 7. The tethered plastic stopperaccording to claim 2, wherein the linking feature further comprises twolateral tongues which are curved in shape, the lateral tongues forming afree space therebetween.
 8. The tethered plastic stopper according toclaim 7, wherein the linking feature further comprises a vertical linklocated between the tongues and attached at one end to the closure shelland attached another end to the tamper band.
 9. The tethered plasticstopper according to claim 8, wherein the closure shell furthercomprises a hook that extends inward and downward relative to theclosure shell, the hook configured to connect the closure shell to anouter annular ring at the top of the bottle neck.